Jeev credits Asian Tour for his success

Indian golfers, including star Chandigarh pro Jeev Milkha Singh on Friday attributed their global success on the exposure they got by playing on the Asian Tour.

Written by Press Trust of India

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Indian golfers, including star Chandigarh pro Jeev Milkha Singh on Friday attributed their global success on the exposure they got by playing on the Asian Tour.

From the likes of Jeev, Arjun Atwal, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Gaurav Ghei, Shiv Kapur, SSP Chowrasia, C Muniyappa, Feroz Ali to Anirban Lahiri all have excelled after launching their careers from the Asian Tour.

India holds the proud record of producing the most number of Asian Tour Order of Merit champions, through Jeev in 2006 and 2008, Atwal in 2004 and Jyoti Randhawa, the country's first Asian number one in 2002.

Jeev, who holds six wins in Asia and is now an honorary member of the Asian Tour, credited the Tour for giving him the platform to launch his career.

"This is where I started from and I will never forget that. I will always go back and support the Asian Tour. The way the Asian Tour has grown is fantastic to see. I feel and strongly believe that the Asian Tour will continue to grow and produce top-class players," said Jeev.

Atwal, who has won seven times on the Asian Tour, said the region's circuit, which has travelled to 19 different countries over the years, helped him shape well.

"My first Q-school was in 1995 and just to learn how to make cuts and be in contention and finally win, all those I learnt on the Asian Tour," said Atwal.

Asian Games gold medal winner Shiv led the new wave by winning the 2005 Volvo Masters of Asia and since then, a string of other young guns have burst through.

Chowrasia and Muniyappa, who grew up through humble beginnings, scored magical victories in 2008 and 2009 that transformed their lives while Bhullar broke through last year to win his first title en route to finishing sixth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Lahiri and Himmat Rai are other young players touted for a big future.

Asian Tour's executive chairman Kyi Hla Han said he will continue to work closely with the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and Indian Golf Union to ensure that the game remains on the crest of a wave in the nation.

"We have a close association with the PGTI and will continue to seek initiatives to grow the game in India and on the Asian Tour," said Han.